| February 23, 2010 | |
FCPS IS CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE SCHOOL DAY
As you know, the Fairfax County Board of Education is considering adding time to the current school day to make up for lost winter instruction days. I have sent a letter to members of the School Board expressing the adverse impact that the adoption of this plan will have upon my students. Briefly, the extension of the school day will mean that I will not be able to provide lessons to some of my current students. If you have a chance to express your views on this proposal, I am sending you the website link. The Board will consider this issue on March 4 so it is important to write to them immediately. In another e-mail, I am sending you a copy of the letter I have sent. < SCHOOL BOARD CONTACT INFO HERE >
Click on this website. I have voted for Option Three to extend the school year by three days: http://commweb.fcps.edu/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=1357. This proposal will affect the schedule of my private school students as well. Thanks for your help!
WORKSHOP NOTES
This Sunday, Feb. 28 is our Spring Student Voice Workshop. We will have two sessions: 1:30 and 3:15 P.M. George Peachey will accompany the students and the fee is $8. I expect every student to attend and at least listen if he/she cannot sing. We will have refreshments after each workshop. The 1:30 event will end at 3 p.m. It will help, if most of the students can get rides to my house. The snow here is still making it difficult for parking. There should be enough parking spaces for those who drive and live a distance from here…We can have three cars in the driveway and at least three parked in the cul de sac. This is an important experience for all my singers! I would appreciate it if the students singing at 1:30 p.m., arrive by 1:25 p.m. and those singing at 3:15 p.m., please come by 3:10 p.m. I have tried to divide the parts evenly! If students arrive after the singing has begun, please enter my house through the back patio doors.
Our spring recital is set for SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010, in the afternoon at the Woman’s Club of Arlington. I will not teach between March 25 and April 4…Spring Vacation!
Thank you for all the efforts you have made to come to your voice lessons during this winter season. I know it has been difficult driving and parking and I am very grateful to all of you who have made it here under these challenging circumstances. Thank you!
I look forward to hearing you all sing on Sunday! |
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| February 11, 2010 | |
It looks as if the worst is over, we hope! We’ve been shoveling and shoveling and our street has been plowed! So, if any of you want a lesson and can get here, let me know. Please park in the driveway and for now, come through the garage. I hope to get the back steps in good shape…right now they are ice covered.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday students -- please let me know if you can get to your lessons! I would appreciate that … and any of you who missed lessons this week and can make it even this afternoon, tomorrow or Saturday, please let me know.
I am so sorry to hear “District” choir has been cancelled. What a shame! We will still have our student workshop on Sunday, Feb. 28, in the afternoon, so keep practicing and we will hope some of this snow will melt so you can park in the street!
Keep safe! |
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| January 29, 2010 | |
Our student workshop will be held on Sunday, Feb. 28 at either 1:30 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. This event is for the students only and I expect everyone to attend either as an audience member or performer! George Peachey is such a wonderful pianist and this is an excellent opportunity for all my students to experience the joy of singing with a professional pianist in front of a supportive audience. All students will be prepared to sing two songs! Please include the $8 workshop fee in this month’s tuition bill. Also, please tell me at which workshop you wish to perform.
Since the new year, three students have been selected “Student of the Week”—Ashley Fidler, Nancy Pruett, Ashley Hill and this week Jamie Werner deserves the recognition. Please check my webpage for further information.
Victoria Todd will perform in “Little Women” at Madeira School the weekend of Feb. 19 and Michelle Lerch will sing in “West Side Story” at Westfield High School the weekend of February 12. Leila Goldstein and Jamie Richardson are starring in One-Act Plays at McLean High School the weekend of Feb. 5. It’s a busy time of the year!
My former student, David Ruffin, who graduated from McLean High School in 1998 and attended Northwestern University is starring in “Grease” at the National Theatre beginning Feb. 9. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform the role of Kenickie last winter in Baltimore. He has been with the national tour since early December 2008. The show runs from Feb. 9-21. I hope some of you can attend. Also worth seeing this spring are: “Sweeney Todd” at Signature Theatre and “Light in the Piazza” at Arena.
I will not teach Thursday, March 25 through April 4, spring break. If you need to miss a lesson for any reason, please let me know as far in advance as possible. I have a wait list and often can give one of these students a lesson if I know of an opening in advance. I appreciate this. If I don’t receive 24 hours notice for cancellations, you must pay for the lesson. This is only fair!
As the weather begins to warm-up (we hope), please remember to drive carefully in my neighborhood. The speed limit is 25 mph and we have children often playing outside in my cul de sac. Thanks!
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| December 5, 2009 | |
I want you all to know how gratified and pleased I was by your attendance at the teen recitals today. When I decided to “go forward” with the programs, I knew it was risky. I was concerned that somebody might have an accident because of the poor weather…So far, I haven’t heard of any problems and only one student missed the concert because of the weather.
Thank you again and again. I thought all the students did their very best…It was just a wonderful program. I look forward to my continued work with all these singers. Our next event is a student workshop on Sunday afternoon, February 27, 2010…and then the May recital…No weather problems, let’s hope.
I’ll see most of you for one more lesson in December…after December 16. You are all terrific families!
Congratulations to all these young people! |
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| December 4, 2009 | |
SOME LAST-MINUTE REMINDERS ABOUT THE RECITAL!
I will begin both teen programs promptly at the designated starting times. Please be sure you start out early to locate the Woman’s Club of Arlington, 700 South Buchanan, Arlington, Va. 22204. On weekends, there can be heavy traffic on Rt. 66. I will leave my house by 12:30 p.m. If you need to speak to me, please call me early on Saturday. Thanks! If there is an emergency after this time, please call my cell phone: 571-277-2286. I am planning on good weather!
Don’t forget to bring your music!
I want all the performers to sit in the front of the auditorium and move to the back stage as quickly as possible (after the singer before completes his first song). Try to walk as quietly as possible! We must continue the program order as quickly as possible. I expect every singer to stay for the entire program. This is only fair to our last singers and the program shouldn’t last more than 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Happy Holidays! I am so pleased that most of my students are performing on Saturday. I know you will all enjoy hearing these young singers.
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| November 22, 2009 | |
Two weeks from today is the Student Voice Recital, Dec. 5, 2009. I am so pleased that almost all my teens will be performing….15 students in each recital. By now each student knows on which recital he/she will sing and when he/she will attend the rehearsals with Mr. Peachey in my studio. I am attaching a recital flier for your use in finding the Woman’s Club of Arlington and I am also hoping that you will invite lots of friends and family to attend. Receptions will follow both recitals. I have decided to start the second program at 3:15 P.M. – not at the later time. Please plan to arrive at the Woman’s Club l0 minutes before your program is to begin. I want to begin exactly on time!! Also, you are cordially invited to hear both recitals. I know you will enjoy hearing all these young people.
If you haven’t already given me the recital fee of $35, I would appreciate receiving this amount as soon as possible…This money is for the hall rental and the pianist’s fee. Students, please wear appropriate clothing for singing on a stage…no jeans, flip-flops or too short skirts for the ladies. Your appearance is part of the performance!
Also, I hope all of you will stay for the entire program. Each student has worked hard to prepare his music and it is only fair to the last performer that he/she, too, has an audience! The programs should only last approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. There will probably not be an intermission.
I will not teach between Dec. 6 and 16. Lessons will be held, however, from Dec. 16 to 22. I will take another break and resume teaching on Monday, January 4, 2010. I hope to be able to show you the video recording of the recital at the December lesson. Would any parent be willing to video tape the recital? I will have my video camera in place…I just need an operator! I want to be able to focus totally on the young singers.
Each student should bring his/her music to the recital and to the rehearsal. George Peachey will want to play from the music he read at the practice. Also, feel free to bring a CDR disc to the rehearsal so we can make a recording for you…Arrive promptly for your rehearsal …Again, you are welcome to come early and stay late to hear the others practice. Please drive slowly as you come to my house for rehearsals and lessons! Thanks!
We attended the Signature Theatre production of “Show Boat” last weekend and it was most enjoyable…Also The Arena Theatre is presenting “The Fantasticks” over the holiday…Two holiday shows for your families. On December 23 at 9 p.m. on WETA TV 26, Great Performances presents a film adaptation of Puccini’s “La Bohème.” Some performances worth noting! Happy Thanksgiving! I look forward to seeing you all on Dec. 5…Stay Healthy! |
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| November 1, 2009 | |
Thank you all for your participation in last week’s student workshops. Over twenty teens performed and I was so pleased with all the singing! I hope the students felt it was a worthwhile experience. We now have the Holiday Recital on Saturday Dec. 5, 2009 and there will also be a spring workshop on Sunday, February 28.
Almost all the teens have now chosen their music for the recital and now they should have plenty of time to memorize the pieces. Remember that we will have three possible rehearsals with Mr. Peachey: Sunday afternoon, Nov., 29, Monday evening, Nov. 30, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. as well as Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I will have the rehearsal sign-up sheets available this week…The time allotted is only 10 minutes so be sure your student is prompt in his arrival. The practice time will be for you in my studio! I would like the $35 recital fee included in your November tuition. This fee will help to pay for the hall rental and for Mr. Peachey’s rehearsal and performance. I will certainly not charge admission for the recital and I encourage you all to invite friends and families. The first performance begins at 1:30 p.m. and the second one either at 3:15 or 3:30 p.m. I need to know on which program your student will sing and obviously everyone cannot sing on the same program!! I hope you will all stay for the receptions which will follow.
I will teach over the Thanksgiving break. Please let me know if you will be in town. I will be available to teach my regular Thursday students on Friday. We will discuss the times!
A reminder—I will teach the first week of December—not on the day of the recital…and then on Dec. 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22. I will show the recital video on these days and assign new music for the break.
I just want to say how much I am looking forward to the Dec. 5 program and hope the students will enjoy performing for their families. If any of the students would prefer not to sing now, I encourage them and you parents to attend the recital anyway. We need an audience and I want the students to see the format for future programs!
Also — check the website. Lori Peterson is doing such a wonderful job as the web page designer. She has included so many items for the site. We have pictures of the workshop attendees and bios and pictures of the current “student of the week” — I am very much pleased with all the information which is contained therein….Please look at it!
One more thing! Langley High Choral Students will not have a conflict on Dec. 5. Their Madrigal Feast is scheduled for the following weekend. I was so relieved to learn this fact!
Happy November! Don’t forget to set your clocks back and please e-mail me or call me about any subjects of concern! |
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| October 23, 2009 | |
The Fall Student Voice Workshop will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 in my living room with George Peachey, pianist. I would appreciate if all the singers in the first program arrive by 1:20 p.m. The second program begins at 3 p.m. Please arrive by 2: 55 p.m. We will have refreshments after each event so that the students can meet each other. The three o’clock program will finish by 4:25 p.m. If you want me to make a recording of your performance, please bring along a new CD disc….and if you have borrowed some from me these last few weeks, please help replenish my supply. I appreciate this.
If you arrive after a workshop has begun, please come around to the back of my house and enter through the patio doors.
If you haven’t paid me the $8 fee, please bring this to the workshop. I hope you will all enjoy hearing each other! Don’t forget that the Holiday Recital will be on Saturday, Dec. 5.
We have had “Three Students of the Week” thus far: Mary Peterson, Herndon H.S.; Robin Falci, Herndon H.S. and Richard Qin, Thomas Jefferson H.S. I hope all the students will continue to practice diligently every week! |
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| October 10, 2009 | |
Next weekend, Friday, October 16 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, October 18, at 2 p.m., the Virginia Opera will perform La Bohème at George Mason Center for the Arts—on the Fairfax campus, six miles west of Beltway exit 54 at the intersection of Braddock Rd. and Rt. 123. I will be attending this performance on Sunday afternoon and I am encouraging you all to meet me there. You can purchase tickets by checking the website www.gmus.edu/cfa If you have never attended an opera, this is a wonderful experience. I would be happy to drive any teens who might like to go. I know you would all enjoy this opera. The musical Rent is based on this story.
Also, please note that the times for the workshop are 1:30 p.m. and 3:00, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. As of today, it looks as if the participants for each part are evenly divided. Please plan for your student to remain here for 1 hour and 20 minutes. I will serve refreshments and I am hoping that the teens will be able to meet each other before and after the singing! The fee is $8… Thanks!
I haven’t heard from some of you about your intention to attend. I expect each student to participate. If you have questions about the format, let me know. This workshop gives the students a chance to hear each other, listen to new music, and get an opportunity to perform for others. Also they get to sing for me with a professional pianist, George Peachey.
The Holiday Recital is set for SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009. I rented the Woman’s Club of Arlington auditorium and again, and I expect every student to sing or to attend. I realize the students at Langley High School have a Madrigal Feast that day, but one of our recitals will begin at 1:30 p.m. The second program should begin at approximately 3:15 p.m. You will have plenty of time to arrive in time for your feast. The fee is $35 for our hall rental and pianist’s fee. Participation in this recital is a very important part of your vocal studies. I hope you will invite your friends and families to attend this special event.
George Peachey will be here for rehearsals on Sunday, November 29 (Thanksgiving weekend), Monday Night, November 30, and Wednesday Night, December 2. The students will sign up for a 10 minute private rehearsal time slot. Please look ahead and save time on one of these dates.
Monday students: Remember that I am teaching on the Columbus Day Holiday!
Please e-mail me or call me with any concerns you may have! So far, it’s a great musical year! It would be wonderful if you could attend the opera next weekend. There are tickets priced at $45.
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| October 2, 2009 | |
I have just returned from a wonderful trip to the Amalfi Coast of Italy. We were on a tour sponsored by the U.C. Berkeley Alumni Association and we are so happy we were not driving on own car along these treacherous, steep, narrow hills! Our hotel was located on top of the hillside with views from our balcony of the Mediterranean Sea and all the beautiful buildings, churches, and terraces that are built on these steep inclines. We had wonderful weather…We visited Pompeii, Capri, Paestum, Sorrento, Ravello, etc. I hope you will all have an opportunity to visit this beautiful part of the World!
I am back to teach and hope the beginning of the school year has gone well for every student. Please give me plenty of notice if you REALLY need to cancel a lesson. I will do my best to make up a lesson if I can. My schedule is very tight and your lesson time is for you! Please pay me for a month of lessons in advance, and for Oct. add the $8 workshop fee. The workshop is for students only on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1:30 or 3:15 p.m. Please tell me your preferred time and even if you don’t want to sing or are “a bit under the weather,” plan to attend as an audience member. I will teach on the Columbus Day Holiday. If you are not going to be here, let me know, or if you wish to have your lesson in the morning, we can make that change.
Our holiday recital will be on SATURDAY, DEC. 5. There will be no lessons between Dec. 6 and Tuesday, Dec. 15th. I do plan to teach, however, from Weds., Dec. 16 to Tuesday, Dec. 22…just so you can make your plans. Before the recital, we will have three possible rehearsal times with our pianist George Peachey. I will give you more information next month.
Remember to bring new CDRs to the lesson and some money for Xeroxes. I do appreciate this! Stay healthy and practice! Check the webpage for “The Student of the Week.” |
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| September 14, 2009 | |
Just to remind you all that I am teaching this week. I am hoping that all my teens will have had at least two Fall lessons before my departure and that they will have enough assigned music on which to practice during my absence. If anybody wants another lesson, I have time next Saturday afternoon, Sept. 19, after 3 p.m. - after my normal Saturday teaching schedule.
I hope the Fall school semester is beginning well for each student. This week I will take pictures of my students for the “Student of the Week” file! I am hopeful that every student will deserve this honor at least once this year! Parents, your student may feel more comfortable practicing when nobody is home or in his room. Singing is a very personal experience.
I will resume teaching on Friday, Oct. 3 and our student workshop will be Sunday afternoon, Oct. 25. Two sessions: 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. The cost is $8.00 for the accompanist. |
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| September 6, 2009 | |
I will expect to teach all my teens this week now that Fairfax County Schools are open! I am so happy that many of the teens were able to take lessons in August. Our performance at Sunrise Assisted Living Residence on Sept. 1 was very fine. I was so proud of the ten students who performed!
As you know, I will not be teaching lessons between Sept. 21 and Oct. 3. This means that I will miss two weeks of lessons for some students, but for the Friday and Saturday group, I only miss one. I hope the students will practice hard while I am gone. We have a student workshop set for Sunday, Oct. 25 and I expect every teen to attend either to sing or listen! Also, don’t forget our holiday recital on Saturday, Dec. 5. Parents and friends are cordially invited to attend this event.
Please bring CD-R Audio discs to the lesson. These CDs cannot be reused. You can buy them at COSTCO in packs of 100…
Another reminder! Students, please be punctual in your attendance. You are welcome to walk right into the studio at your lesson time. If you need to use the restroom, please enter a few minutes early. I want you all ready to begin to sing at your proper time! I expect 24 hours notice for any cancellations. These lesson times are saved for YOU.
This year I will again reward a “Student of the Week” based on how hard the student has worked for that particular week. The student will receive a little prize and his picture and a brief bio will appear on the webpage… Thanks to Lori Peterson, the webmaster. I hope you will check the webpage regularly… It contains lots of information and pictures. If you don’t want your student's name or picture to appear on the internet, please let me know immediately. Thanks!
One of my most favorite American classical singers, Dawn Upshaw, will perform at Strathmore Auditorium on Friday Night,
I hope the school year begins on a happy “note” for all of you and I look forward to seeing you this week! |
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| August 28, 2009 | |
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra is offering 100 free student tickets to elementary, middle and high school students for each of our concerts again this season! We hope that your students and their families will attend an FSO concert this season as we welcome our new Music Director, Christopher Zimmerman. The first performance will be on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts.
After the first 100 tickets are reserved, students may obtain reduced-rate tickets at $15. Accompanying adults receive the special rate of $35 each when attending with a student. Maestro Zimmerman has planned a spectacular opening concert featuring Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for Strings, and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring! Free student tickets must be reserved by Friday, September 11, by visiting our website: www.fairfaxsymphony.org.
This season, we will invite students who have attended our performances to come to a special open dress rehearsal in March. Click here for the flyer about our free student ticket program for this performance. Please forward this on to students and parents and invite all families to attend Fairfax Symphony performances this season. As we welcome our new Maestro, we look forward to wonderful performances, continued outreach and educational programming, and a commitment to impacting the cultural landscape of the Northern Virginia region. Thank you for forwarding this information and for your support of the FSO!
Best regards,
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s 2009-2010 Season Calendar:9/12/2009
10/3/2009 – Jon Manasse, clarinet
11/21/2009 – Chu-Fang Huang, piano
1/23/2010 – Augustin Hadelich, violin
3/13/2010 – Alon Goldstein, piano
5/1/2010 – Julie Albers, cello
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| August 26, 2009 | |
Ten teen students will perform for the residents of Sunrise Assisted Living-McLean on Tuesday, September 1. We will perform in their lovely living room with Gillian Cookson, pianist. The program will begin at 7 p.m., but please arrive by 6:50 p.m. As you give your music to Gillian, be sure she understands if you have any "repeats" or changes in the music. She is a professional pianist with years of experience and I have given her some of your music in advance.
I would like you all to give me $10 to help to pay Gillian's fee. If you need community services points for school, I am happy to write you a note for your school verifying this performance for "community outreach." You will enjoy sharing your talents and personalities with these senior citizens. I hope it will be a meaningful evening for you. Please enjoy yourselves!
The Sunrise Home is located at 8315 Turning Leaf Lane, McLean, 22102…To find directions , Google "Sunrise Assisted Living-McLean," phone 703-734-1600. Turning Leaf Lane is just off Springhill, right near the Dulles access Rd.—Lewinsville leads into Springhill near the Rec. Center at the stop light. Please feel free to call me for better directions, if you need them!
I thank you in advance for your interest in performing. Families, please come to support these young people! |
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| August 7, 2009 | |
I have returned from a wonderful trip to France where I attended the Seventh International Congress of Voice Teachers. I enjoyed attending many interesting sessions about repertoire, vocal technique, languages, interpretation, etc. I especially enjoyed meeting voice teachers from many other countries. Approximately 300 teachers attended and there were over 100 teachers from the United States. I think I was the only teacher from Virginia! View photos here.
And now I am back and setting up my Fall Teaching Schedule. Most of you have already requested lesson time slots. My schedule is almost full so if you have not contacted me and if you don’t have a definite time set for lessons, please call me immediately! If each of you could reply to this e mail, I would appreciate it. I want to be sure that we agree on our schedule. I expect all my students to practice as much as possible this year …. and to record the lessons, and to learn at least 3 or 4 or more songs per month. We will have a student workshop on Sunday, Oct. 25, and our Holiday Recital is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. The workshop fee is $8 and the recital $35. This helps to pay for our professional pianist and for the hall rental. The Spring Recital will be held on May 23, 2010. Mark your calendars!
I have been teaching almost all summer and some of the teens will present a program on Sept. 1 at the Sunrise Retirement Home at 7 p.m. If any of you are interested in singing, please contact me. The home is located in McLean near the Dulles Toll Rd. I would like as many of the teens as possible to begin lessons the week of August 24. I will not teach between September 22 and Oct. 1 so I am anxious to work with my teens before school begins.
I remind you all to drive very slowly in my neighborhood. The speed limit is 25 miles per hour and as you know, many children live in this cul de sac and in good weather they are often playing in the street.
Fees for lessons this year are: $35 per ½ hour and $45 per 45 minute lesson. I would like to be paid in advance at the beginning of each month and I will send a bill. I do plan to teach the Columbus Day Holiday, Oct. 12. You must give me at least 24 hours notice if you can’t make a lesson. I will try to make up the time, but there is no guarantee that I will be able to do so.
Virginia Opera will present four performances at George Mason University this year. "La Bohème," "The Daughter of the Regiment,""Porgy and Bess," and "Don Giovanni." Tickets are reasonably priced and the performances are excellent. I would hope that some of the teens can attend a performance or two. For more information, visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
I hope your summers have been restful and meaningful. I look forward to seeing you all soon! |
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